Going Paperless: Advantages & Challenges of the

Paperless Classroom

Derek Snyder English Department, University  of  Hawai’i  Maui  College

KEY POINTS TO BEGIN

Technology does not replace best practices for teachers.

Technology allows us to enhance our  students’  learning  experiences  and to facilitate greater learning.

Advantage #1 = Less Paper

Creates a more efficient and greener approach to

the classroom

• Better for the environment

• Eliminates battles with the copy machine

Advantage #2 = Seamless

Students already operating in this realm

• Personal / Daily Lives

(i.e. Facebook) • Easier transition than

you might think

Advantage #3 = Organization

Potential for greater classroom management and course organization

• Syllabus • Schedule • Announcements • Absences • Late Work • Student Questions

Advantage #4 = Follow-Up

Easier follow-up on missed classes / work

• Information is always available

• Clearly shows what students are missing (and correlation to grade)

Advantage #5 = Record Keeping

Promotes a better record keeping environment

• Greater student involvement with assignments / grades

• Grades are more accessible and transparent for students

Advantage #6 = Time Stamping

Student submissions are time stamped

• Greater adherence to class policies = greater equality in classroom

• More student accountability to deadlines

Advantage #7 = Interaction

Increased student engagement, collaboration,

and interaction

• Online discussion forums can foster more dynamic, less intimidating arenas for discussion

• Textbook reading accountability

Advantage #8 = Dynamic

Provides dynamic opportunities for content

delivery, feedback, and submissions

• Videos, Pictures, Audio • Hyperlinks, Embedded

Comments • Can address multiple

modes of learning

Advantage #9 = Borderless

Allows for class to function outside of class time and classroom walls

• Classroom is always available

• Greater accessibility to instructor for concerns, questions, etc.

Advantage #10 = Reusability

Greater reusability and opportunity for curriculum

improvement

• Easier carryover from semester to semester -after initial construction

• Easier transferability to other classes (when applicable)

Challenge #1 = Student Skills Students may not have the computer skills or may not

be comfortable with computers and technology

• Part of our shared role in higher education is to help students in this area

• Build an orientation component into course (Be flexible and patient)

Challenge #2 = eTextbooks

Students may be challenged learning from

electronic texts

• Have a hard copy of the textbook as an option

• Create class material that can be printed out as hard copies

Challenge #3 = Accessibility Paperless classrooms may

not be full accessible to students with disabilities

• Check with your Disabilities Counselor or Technology Accessibility Committee to ensure best practices

• Seek information and training opportunities

Challenge #4 = Technology Issues

Computers sometimes malfunction and

technology can fail

• Encourage students to work ahead of class deadlines

• Provide students with ITS help contact info

Challenge #5 = Student Computers

Classrooms may not have computers or students

may not have computer access at home

• Advocate for more computers on campus and for innovative programs or grants for personal student computers

Final Thoughts

The paperless classroom has the potential to far exceed the possibilities of the traditional

face-to-face classroom.

Careful consideration of the advantages and challenges of the paperless classroom must be

taken into consideration.

Contact: dsnyder@hawaii.edu